Granitz Hunting Lodge

Binz, Germany

Granitz Hunting Lodge lies in the middle of the forested Granitz ridge which covers an area of about 1,000 hectares and has been part of the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve since 1991. The name Tempelberg given to the highest hill in the Granitz comes from the 18th century, when a small hexagonal belvedere stood on the site of the present schloss.

The hunting lodge was built between 1838 to 1846 by order of Prince Wilhelm Malte I of Putbus, based on a design by Berlin architect, Johann Gottfried Steinmeyer in the style of the North Italian Renaissance castellos. It was once a popular holiday destination for European nobility and prominent people; for example, Frederick William IV, Christian VIII, Otto von Bismarck, Elizabeth von Arnim, and Johann Jacob Grümbke numbered amongst its visitors.

The lodge was owned by the von Putbus family until 1944 and passed into Nazi hands on the imprisonment of Malte von Putbus. The family was finally dispossessed as part of the East German land reforms and the castle remains today in state hands. After the end of the Second World War many of the furnishings were lost or stolen, several works of art were taken to the Berlin Art Depot, the agency for the administration of Soviet assets in Germany, and transferred in 1953 to the state museums in Berlin.

Attempts by the grandson of Malte zu Putbus, Franz zu Putbus, to get the family seat returned failed in court. The building is used today as a museum. The castle was renovated at the beginning of the 21st century at a cost of 7.9 million euros.

The two storey, plastered, brick edifice has a rectangular ground plan and four small corner towers. In the centre of the building in the old courtroom there is a 38 metre high central tower, erected later based on plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Inside is a cantilevered circular staircase with 154 cast iron steps. The static forces of the heavy iron staircase are entirely absorbed by the side walls; because it virtually clamped to the tower.

From the observation platform, 145 metres above sea level (NN), on the roof of the tower, there is a panoramic view in all directions, especially over the south and east of Rügen. In clear visibility the island of Usedom may be seen.

Old hunting rifles are displayed in the 'Stags of the World' (Hirsche der Welt) exhibition as well as furniture from the 19th century. In addition there are temporary exhibitions, for example of paintings.

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Details

Founded: 1838-1846
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Germany
Historical period: German Confederation (Germany)

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Heidi Battermann (7 months ago)
Beautiful, very clean, interesting exhibition and very friendly staff
Dmytro Iarovyi (16 months ago)
Castle itself is really beautiful and interesting, outside and inside. However, the quality of the road from parking to the castle is a nightmare if you're going with a child in a stroller. The road is made of stones and is not suitable to anything but horses. Please use any other option to get to the castle if you're going with a child in a stroller.
Cristina Niculae (17 months ago)
Beautiful hunting castle, well preserved and maintained. The view from the tower is amazing but the climb up the stairs not for the ones afraid of hights as the stairs are see through.
July Summer (19 months ago)
A beautiful and interesting hunting castle in the forest. It has a high tower, where you can get a nice view to see the surrounding.
Vivian Chetroi (2 years ago)
I love this castle. Great interactive explanations for children. A lot of interactive features, for example the animation of the travel journal that makes you feel like you’re traveling to Egypt as well. The architecture is exquisite but sadly the hunting trophies ? were stolen.
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